What's the deal with ketamine costs?
 

Just wondering has anyone else wondered why we have to pay for ketamine trials? I was always under the assumption that trials where payed for by the foundation donations or the universities $, goverment funds. NIH trials are payed for. We are the ones taking the risks. I realize we have to pay for the staff caring for us but since it is trials I just don't get it. How do they come up with whatever the cost is like 2500./day. I would somehow find a way to pay out of pocket if I need too, but I was just wondering if anyone knows why a trial that is not approved yet, and is at our risk, costs as much out of pocket as it does. It does not cost 2500. to stay one day in the hospital for just nursing care. What's the deal??

The costs involved go to much more than just nursing care. If you are taking about the coma treatment remember the patient is in a drug induced coma, on a ventilator in ICU. There is a whole team of people that are involved 24 hours per day.

That being said I think there are certain financial incentives for many involved in the low dose clinical trials. Just my thoughts on this.. I have no direct knowledge about the politics of clinical trails in the USA.

Warm wishes.

MsL

I don't believe that Ketamine infusions is an FDA approved trial.. therefore... no funding. It's more of a research program.

It is much more involved than just getting the Ketamine.... takes specialized doctors, nurses... my understanding is it is close to if not an Intensive Care Unit setting.

That is why the Ketamine Coma is being done in Germany and Mexico but not here in the United States.

Insurance
 

My insurance paid for most of my 5 day infusion at Hospital for special surgery in Manhatten

Hi. Thanks, but Im not talking about coma. Ketamine Coma is only done in mexico or germany so i would expect that to be costly.

**Thanks. Now that makes sense to me. I was thinking it was trial, but your right, it is not approved by FDA. So that is why it can be so expensive because it is only research based. Thanks for answering my question!

I think it's important to clarify if we are taking about the high dose coma Ketamine treatment. In that case yes it is not FDA approved and only currently done through the research programs in either Germany or Mexico. The patient is in intensive care during the whole coma. No insurance companies that I'm aware of will pay for this treatment.

As I understand it the low dose treatment does not require an intensive care unit. It is FDA approved for clinical trials and can be done either as an in-patient or out-patient depending on the protocols being used. If you are asking about the cost of the low dose infusions I'm really not sure why patients are being asked to pay for this type of clinical trial.? Perhaps it depends on what institution you are going through and what type of funding if any they have for their trials.

My doctor has been giving some low dose ketamine infusions here but has not been terribly impressed by the results which are a mixed bag. It's different here since we have universal medicine. If you can manage to get yourself booked into one of the only 4 bed available for pain treatments there are no charges to the patient.

Warm wishes.

MsL

Ketamine
 

My five day continuous low dose was paid for by my insurance- No funding -I think out of pocket was around $2000. after all was said and done....

Debbie

Partially Political
 

I don't want to wander off into politics, but it is important to remember that there are huge differences among insurance companies regarding coverage and what is considered experimental, what is “reasonable and customary” or even what is approved treatment for your condition. That is why some people would like to level the insurance field somewhat and have insurance coverage be more-or-less the same for everyone.

As far as things covered by charitable foundations, we are at the mercy of the economy and a lot of other factors. There are some people who feel that voluntary donations and business’ charity will take care of society’s needs, but sometimes there is simply not enough money to go around. Unfortunately, that is just the way it is.

A friend of mine had a little brother with leukemia in the early 1970’s and was being treated at one of the top research hospitals in the country. He received an injection that had the intended purpose of “slowing down” the progression of the cancer. (There was a 95% mortality rate back then.) The bill for this shot was supposed to go to the charitable foundation, but was mailed to the home by mistake. The invoice was for $50,000 – in 1970’s money! WOW! That blew me away. This kind if research is very expensive.

We should all be thankful for any kind of help we can get and do what ever we can to encourage even more fund-raising for groups that sponsor medical research like RSDSA.

Mike

Well said Mike!

Sandy